Emergency blankets helped save missing hikers, deputies say

Emergency blankets helped save missing hikers, deputies say

(Photo: Thinkstock)

BOULDER, Colo. — Two men who went hiking along the North St. Vrain Creek and went missing over the weekend were rescued thanks in part to their use of emergency reflective blankets, sheriff’s deputies said.

Joshua Skaggs, 16, and his father Jeff Lints, 46, were dropped off Friday morning near Allenspark. They planned on hiking along the St. Vrain to Button Rock Reservoir, said Sgt. Mike Linden of the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.

They were scheduled to be picked up on Sunday afternoon, but never showed up, Linden said.

Rescuers from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Rocky Mountain Rescue and Allenspark Fire Department started a search for the duo.

A local helicopter pilot also volunteered to help with the search and just before dusk, he spotted the two men.

Linden said both had gotten stuck in hazardous terrain. Skaggs and Lints were able to hike as far as North Sheep and South Sheep Mountain, but they came across a creek that was too high to cross.

As they were working their way backward, they got disorientated, Linden said, so they set up camp and used an emergency reflective blanket to mark their location.